Letters to the editor

Posted: Friday, December 07, 2001

Critic of American society hasn't visited much of the world

In response to the letter from Joe Davis ("Society must not smother people's individuality," Nov. 30), to paraphrase Mr. Davis, a person's nature is smothered by having to live and conform to our society, which is as dictatorial and archaic as the Taliban and other cultures. He also said that our society is a miserable one.

How many countries has Mr. Davis visited? How has our society stifled his natural instincts (freedoms)? What are the things he and his friends want to do that our society forbids? What does he think of law enforcement?

In my opinion, Mr. Davis has never left the United States. I have traveled the globe except for the Far East, and stayed in countries long enough to gather the flavor of their people and government. I was in Pakistan where the Taliban was formed before it moved into Afghanistan, and to equate the Taliban with our society is ignorant.

As for our society encroaching on Mr. Davis' freedoms, I can only relate to my life's experience. My friends and schoolmates went on to become doctors, lawyers, politicians, business people and blue collar workers, of which I was one. There were others who just didn't make it, but in our society one can climb the ladder of success as far as his ability and determination will take them.

This is not a miserable society by anyone's rational thinking. I thank God every day that I was fortunate enough to be born in this society.

America has accomplished more in its 200-plus years of existence than Great Britain, France, Russia and China have in their thousands of years of existence. The reason is simple: Our society encourages individuality and creativity.

HARRELL HUTCHINSONEllabell

Islamic leaders should condemn terrorist actions

At the present time, comparing religions is futile. The paramount issue is the way Islamic leaders have responded or not responded to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

There have been some generalities spoken by leaders of the Islamic world concerning Sept. 11, but whatever condemnation they uttered could as easily have been directed at the United States.

If Islam is truly a religion of peace, it is incumbent upon major Islamic leaders worldwide to clearly and plainly condemn the terrorists and all their supporters.

Islam should know that America is waiting.

JERRY WILLIAMSHinesville

Know warning signs of nation's No. 3 killer: stroke

Before Sept. 11, Americans had become very complacent with the security of their lives and country. Then we were attacked by terrorists who turned our world upside down and our nation will never be the same.

Americans had also become complacent about their health and diseases. We believed we were invulnerable and that illness and death only happened to old people.

However, there is an illness that strikes every day -- stroke. The estimated daily average is that 411 persons die each day from a stroke and another 989 persons are stricken.

Stroke is the No. 3 killer in the United States, the No. 2 cause of dementia and the No. 1 cause of disability within the adult population (there are more than three million stroke survivors in the U.S.). It is the second-leading cause of death in women, and among women under 45 it is more common than a heart attack.

Age is no longer the main factor in having a stroke -- 28 percent of all stroke victims are under 65. And Georgia is located in the national area with the highest death rate due to strokes.

The warning signs of a stroke are:

* Dizziness or unsteadiness.

* A change in mental abilities.

* Numbness or weakness in face, arm or leg.

* Garbled speech or inability to speak.

* Eye problem/sudden dimness of vision in one eye or double vision.

* Recent severe headaches or change in pattern of headache.

Medical help is needed within an hour if you experience stroke symptoms, and the first six hours immediately following a stroke are critical.